Fifties from Shikhar Dhawan (50 off 37) and captain Shreyas Iyer (52 off 37) helped Delhi Capitals trump Royal Challengers Bangalore by 16 runs to enter the IPL 2019 playoffs in the 46th match of the season.

A 68-run second-wicket partnership between Dhawan and Iyer and a late cameo from Sherfane Rutherford (28 off 13) steered Delhi to 187-5.

RCB lost regular wickets to finish on 171-7. Virat Kohli's Bangalore are placed at the bottom of the table with just four wins in 12 games but still stand an outside chance of making the playoffs with two games still left in the group stage.

On the other hand, Delhi have made the playoffs for the first time since 2012 and also moved to the top of the table.

"This is an amazing feeling. Before the start of the tournament we wanted to qualify, so we are really satisfied and happy now that we have qualified," said Iyer.

Parthiv Patel top-scored for Bangalore with 39 while Kohli made 23. The duo gave a brisk start to their team but their batting fell flat once the two fell.

Kagiso Rabada took 2-31, including the wicket of Parthiv Patel. Axar Patel, who finished with 1-26, removed Kohli. Amit Mishra also took two wickets.

"The fun factor should never go away, we still got two games and we'll work hard. We'll go out there, play expressive cricket and be positive," said Kohli.

Marcus Stoinis (32* off 24) gave Delhi a scare but the ever-increasing run-rate got to the Bangalore chase.